Building construction

ABSTRACT

A building construction comprising a novel panel and column structure for supporting roof carrying beams, wherein substantially vertical wall panels are overlapped at their adjacent edges in order to provide a double thickness of the wall and are secured together at the overlapped portions to afford and constitute column structure which may support beams, such as those carrying a building roof or said overlapped portions may brace a panel wall structure to resist stresses imposed by wind or other loading; the overlapped portions of the panels forming such column structure greatly economizes in a construction of buildings due to the fact that the cost of casting columns is alleviated. Additionally, notches in the panels provide horizontal beam supporting ledges at vertical edges of some of the panels, and expansion joints allow relative movement of the panels.

tilted States Patent 1 397359549 Shuart 51 May 29, 1973 [54] BUILDINGCONSTRUCTION 2,129,369 9/1936 Faber ..52/438 Inventor: Barry L. Shuart,West OCOtlllO Road, Phoenix, Ariz.

376,308 7/1932 Great Britain ..52/432 [221 Flled 1970 69,952 6/1947Denmark .52 233 [21] Appl. No.: 101,864

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-partof Ser. No.848,828, Aug. 11,

[52] 1.1.5. Cl. ..52/262, 52/274, 52/289, 52/293, 52/544, 52/573, 52/583[51] Int. Cl. ..E04b 2/00, E04b 1/40, 1304b H54 [58] Field of Search..52/60262, 250-252, 58, 259, 283, 285, 287, 289, 573, 432, 438, 702,583, 544, 582, 274; 287/189.36 F

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,037,416 9/1912 Beverstock..52/283 1,599,692 9/1926 Trout ..287/189.36 F

1,796,048 3/1931 Robinson ..52/283 2,212,184 8/1940 Powell ....52/2872,223,215 11/1940 Kunz et al, ....52/573 2,903,878 9/1959 Humphrey etal... ....52/289 3,279,135 10/1966 Jacobsen ....52/127 3,478,481 11/1969Heierle et a1. ....52/587 3,507,084 4/1970 Jay et a1. ..52/283 PrimaryExaminer-Frank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-James L. Ridgill, Jr.Att0rneyWilliam H. Dean [57 ABSTRACT A building construction comprisinga novel panel and column structure for supporting roof carrying beams,wherein substantially vertical wall panels are overlapped at theiradjacent edges in order to provide a double thickness of the wall andare secured together at the overlapped portions to afford and constitutecolumn structure which may support beams, such as those carrying abuilding roof or said overlapped portions may brace a panel wallstructure to resist stresses imposed by wind or other loading; theoverlapped portions of the panels forming such column structure greatlyeconomizes in a construction of buildings due to the fact that the costof casting columns is alleviated. Additionally, notches in the panelsprovide horizontal beam supporting ledges at vertical edges of some ofthe panels, and expansion joints allow relative movement of the panels.

3 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEU m 1975 SHEET 1 OF 4 FIG. I

INVENTOR PATENTEWYZFJW 3,735,549

SHEET 3 OF 4 INVENTOR.

BARRY L. SHUART PATEN I ED 3,735,549

SHEET L 0F 4 LFIE 14 1 NVEN TOR.

I56 BARRY L. SHUART EUiLlDllNG CONSTRTJQTTQN This application is acontinuation-in-part of my copending Pat. application for BuildingConstruction Ser. No. 848,828 filed Aug. 11, 1969.

BACKGROUND OF THE lNVENTION Many industrial and other buildings areconstructed by casting wall panels on a slab which is intended to becomethe building floor. When the panels are so cast, they are consequentlyerected into vertical position and coupled to vertical columns which areusually formed by first constructing wooden forms and placingreinforcing steel therein, and then pouring concrete into the forms.This method of producing the columns is quite expensive, time consuming,and often columns during the interim between actual production of thecomplete column and wall structure and the placement of roof beamsthereon, substantial winds may blow the panel down and thereby causevery substantial losses during the construction of such buildings. Manyindustrial buildings may be constructed of panels produced in variousways and coupled either to conventional cast beam and roof bearingcolumns or may be connected to other columns all of which are separatefrom the panels and relatively expensive to install in the constructionof such a building.

Additionally, buildings which are constructed in a manner using tiltuppanels on cast columns require a substantial amount of time to constructdue to the usual carrying period needed for cast columns before panelscan be reasonably supported thereby and before beams can be supported onsaid columns for constructing a roof and thereby coupling the entirestructure together so that it is capable of withstanding substantialstress, such as storms, which are accompanied by high winds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention employs and comprises avery simple arrangement, wherein adjacent vertical edges of wall panelsare overlapped so as to space said vertical edges horizontally, andprovide overlapping portions of the panels which, when secured togetherconstitute a double thickness of the wall structure, and which therebyprovides efficient column structure which may support horizontal roofcarrying beams. The invention is thus very economical in that itutilizes overlapped portions of the panels to constitute vertical roofload bearing columns which support beams, and the invention thereforedoes not require either the expense or the time of producing castvertical columns and the erection of the panels may be quicklyaccomplished, and the beams and bracing may be assembled so as to carrya roof of the building, and thereby avoid a substantial period of timeelapsing between the erection of the panels and the bracing thereofagainst wind loading, thus the hazard of losing the wall panelstructures due to winds is minimized due to the fact that the interimbetween elevating the panels and the placement of the roof thereon isminimized.

The invention also comprises novel notched structure near upper portionsof some of the panels at their vertical edges to provide ledges forsupporting opposite ends of beams and the ends of these beams arecovered by overlapping portions of outermost panels so as to provide astructurally efficient connection and support of beams relative to thepanels and to provide for neat aesthetic features from a viewpointoutside the building construction of the invention.

Additionally, simple bracing means may be utilized for bracing thepanels preliminary to the placement of the beams and roof structure inconnection therewith.

The invention also comprises novel means for connecting overlappingportions of the wall panels together, and also novel means forconnecting beams on or in connection with said overlapping portions sothat the overlapping portions serve as vertical structural columns foradequately supporting the beams.

The invention also comprises novel expansion joint means whereinoverlapping edges of the wall panels of the invention are provided withplates which are contiguous to each other. These plates are preferablymade of steel and are provided with anchors cast in the panels such thatedges of the plates extend beyond the vertical edges of the panels andbolt means extends through the plates and through enlarged openingstherein which are substantially larger than the diameter of the bolt soas to provide for relative movement of the plates and panels; the boltsbeing tightened sufficiently to hold the panels properly together butare not tightened sufficiently to cause seizure of the plates wherebythe plates and respective panels may move relative to each other whilesecurely held together.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novelbuilding construction and method for utilizing overlapping portions ofvertical wall panels as structural columns for supporting the panelsand/or beams and serving as load bearing structure to resist windloading and/or for supporting a roof of a building.

Another object of the invention is to provide a building constructionand method which is very economical due to the fact that the casting ofvertical columns for supporting roof beams is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a building constructionand method which is very adaptable to various wall panel buildingconstruction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel buildingconstruction and method which allows panels of walls to be tilted up orplaced into vertical position and quickly secured together and bracedagainst wind loading before the roof beam structure is coupled to thepanels for supporting them against lateral loading, such as may beimposed thereon by high winds.

Another object of the invention is to provide a building constructionhaving novel architectural aesthetic effects.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for couplingoverlapping portions of vertically disposed wall panels together in avery rapid manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for securingload bearing beams to overlapping portions of wall panels in accordancewith the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel buildingconstruction wherein some of the wall panels are provided with notchesin their upper portions at their vertical edges to provide ledges onwhich ends of beams are supported. The overlapping portions of other ofthe panels cover the notched portions and the ends of the beams so as toprovide efficient structural integrity and aesthetic desirability of theinvention.

Another object is to provide a variety of means for connecting beams tooverlapping portions of vertical wall panels so as to utilize theoverlapping portions as vertical columns for supporting said beams.

A further object of the invention is to provide a variety of means forsecuring overlapping portions of wall panels together in such a manneras to provide a substantial column structure at said overlappingportions so that the column structure is adequate for supportingvertical loads imposed thereon by beams of building roof structures.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel expansionjoint means which comprises a pair of contiguous plates anchored torespective overlapping wall panels of the invention whereby the platesand the panels may move relative to each other due to bolt connectionswhich extend through enlarged openings in the plates and whereby thebolts may be torqued sufficiently to hold the panels together yet arenot torqued sufficiently to cause seizure of the plates and therebyallow relative movements of the plates and respective panels.

Further objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from thefollowing specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top or plan view of abuilding construction in accordance with the present invention, showingsubstantially vertical wall panels having adjacent overlapping edgeportions to provide overlapping portions capable of serving as verticalcolumns and supporting beams of a roof structure, but showing the roofstructure omitted and showing a portion broken away to expose anintermediate column structure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 2-2of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken from theline 33 of FIG. 1, showing means for securing a beam structure ontooverlapping portions of adjacent vertically disposed wall panels of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modification of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is another view similar to FIG. 3, and showing anothermodification of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a still furthermodification of the means of the invention for securing a roof loadingbearing beam to overlapping portions of wall panels of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan sectional view taken from theline 77 of FIG. 2, and showing means of the invention for connectingvertically disposed overlapping portions of adjacent wall panels so asto render said overlapping porrtions capable of serving as verticalcolumn structure for adequately bearing the load of a beam of a roofstructure;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a modification of thestructure shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is another view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a modification ofthe structure disclosed therein;

FIG. 10 is a further view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a furthermodification of the structure disclosed in FIG. '7;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified buildingconstruction of the invention;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line1212 of FIG. l1;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary top or plan view of the structure shown in FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 14-14 ofFIG. 12; and

FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan sectional view taken from the line 15-15 ofFIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1 of thedrawings, a foundation 20 may be provided with a conventional flatconcrete slab having surrounding wall supporting footings ofconventional construction, and the slab 20 may serve as a surface forcasting panels 22 thereon or the panels 22 may be vertically fabricatedof masonry blocks or prefabricated and brought to the site of thefoundation 20, if desired. The panels 22 are provided with adjacentvertical edge portions 24 which are disposed in overlapped relation toeach other, such that they are horizontally spaced apart, and provideoverlapping portions of the panels which support generally horizontalbeams 26, as will be hereinafter described in detail. The beams 26, asshown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, support a conventional roof structure28 or the beams 26 may be a part of any roof structure, including aconventional cord truss roof beam structure, if desired. The beams 26are supported on the panels 22 between their edge portions 24 and onoverlapping portions 28 which are between the opposite edges 24. Theoverlapping portions 28, when coupled together in accordance with thepresent invention and in accordance with the method of the invention,provide substantial vertical structure capable of adequately supportingthe beams 26 and a roof associated therewith, and the utilization of theoverlapping portions 28 eliminates the costly and time consumingconstruction of cast vertical concrete columns with reinforcing steeltherein.

Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that theoverlapping portions 28 disposed between the ajdacent verticaloverlapping edges 24 of the adjacent panels 22 are secured together bynovel means which may be very quickly welded together as the panels arebrought into overlapping position, as shown in FIG. 7.

Each panel 22 near its adjacent edge 24 is provided with a cast in plate30 at one side thereof, and this plate is provided with bars 32 weldedonto the plate 30 and cast into the overlapping portion 28 of therespective panel 22. The bars 32 effectively tie each plate 30 to theconcrete structure of the respective panel, and the plates 30 are weldedtogether at 34 when the panels 22 are erected to vertical position anddisposed in the desired overlapping relation, as shown in FIG. 7 of thedrawings.

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the overlappingportions 28 of the panels are secured together by a plate 30, as shownin FIG. 7 of the drawings, which is welded to bars 32 embedded in theconcrete structure of one of the overlapping portions 28. Theoverlapping portion 28 of the other panel is provided with inserted boltreceiving fixtures 36 and 38. The fixture 36 being in one side of therespective panel 22, and the fixture 38 being in the respective edge 24,as shown in FIG. 8, and bolts 40 are extended through the plate 30 at aportion thereof projecting beyond the edge 24 of the respective panel22, and these bolts 40 are screwthreaded into the respective fixtures36.

The bolts 48 may also be secured into the respective panel 22 byshearing them thereinto in accordance with the conventional methods ofshearing fixtures into concrete.

The plate 80, shown in FIG. 8, is provided with a portion 42 extendingbeyond the edge 24 of the panel 28 into which the fixture 36 and fixture38 are positioned, and an angle iron clip structure 44 is welded to theplate 38, and receives bolts 46 therethrough which are threaded into thefixtures 38 or these bolts 46 may be shot into the adjacent edge 24 ofthe respective panel 28, as hereinbefore described.

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings, angle ironclips 48 and 58 may be secured to the vertical edge portions 24 ofadjacent overlapping panels 22, and bolts or other fixtures 52 mayextend through the angle iron clips 48 and 50 and into respectivevertical edge portions 24 of the panels 22. Additionally, bolts or otherdriven fixtures 54 may be extended through the angle clips and intorespective sides 56 of the panels 22 adjacent the overlapping portions28.

In the modification of the invention, as shown in FIG. III of thedrawings, the overlapping portions 28 of the panels 22 are securedtogether by means of steel clips 58 secured to the edges 24 of therespective panels by means of bars 60 which are cast into or embedded inthe edges 24 of the panels. These bars 60 thus secure the plates 58 inconnection with each respective panel, and bolts 62 are welded at 64 tothe respective plates 58, and these bolts 62 extend laterally throughthe panels 22 adjacent the overlapping portions 28 and screwthreadednuts 66 engage washers for clamping the panels together at theiroverlapping portions 28.

It will be seen that the invention may employ a variety of means forsecuring the overlapping portions 28 of the panels 22 together so thatthe combined thickness of the overlapping portions forms a substantialvertical structural column for supporting a beam thereon and in theposition, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the beams are at their oppositeends supported directly on said overlapping portions 28.

Various means may be used for connecting opposite ends of the beams 26to the overlapping portions 28, and such means is shown in FIGS. 3 to 6,inclusive, of the drawings, as will be hereinafter described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, an end portion 68 of one of thebeams 26 is disposed in recesses 70 and 72 of adjacent overlappingportions 28 of the panels 22. A lower edge portion 74 of the respectivebeam 26 rests upon a plate 76 in the bottom of the recess 72 and on anangle member 78 in the bottom of the recess 70. This recess 70 does notextend through an outer side 80 of the respective overlapping portion 28for aesthetic reasons.

The plate 76 is provided with a bar 82 cast in the respectiveoverlapping portion 28 and the angle member 78 is provided with a bar 84cast in the respective overlapping portion 28 of the respective panel sothat the angle member 78 and the plate 76 form a substantial bearingledge for the beam 26. The beam 26 in this structure of the invention,is preferably steel and is welded at 86 to the plate 76, and the plate76 and angle member 78 may be welded together at 88, all as shown bestin FIG. 3 of the drawings. Thus, oppositeends of the beam 26 may besupported on steel ledge structures provided by the members 76 and 78,and may be welded thereto in order to tie opposite ends of the beam 26securely in place.

In the modification, shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, an end portion 68of a beam 26 may be supported on a ledge 90 formed of structural steelby a plate 92 and a gusset 94 coupled to bars 96 and 98 whichinterconnect a pair of plates I80 and 102 which are cast in a respectiveoverlapping portion 28 of one of the panels 22 so as to provide theplates 100 and 102 on opposite sides of the panel and the gusset plateand beam supporting plate 90 all integral. The adjacent overlappingportion 28 of the adjacent panel is provided with cast in bars 104 whichare welded to a flush plate 106 which may be welded to the plate 1102upon erection of the panels and placement of the overlapping portions inposition with each other.

The beam 26 may be welded at 108 to the shelf plate 90 for securingopposite ends of the beam 26 to the overlapping portions 28 of thepanels 22.

As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, an end portion 68 of a beam 26 issupported in recesses 78 and 72 of overlapping portions 28 of the panels22, and secured to innermost overlapping portion 28 is a plate 118having bars 112 cast in the respective overlapping portion 28 of one ofthe panels at the innermost side of the wall. Angle clips 114 are weldedto the respective plates I10 and bolts 116 extend through the angleplates 114 and into the respective beam 26 at its lower portion 118. Inthis construction, the bolts 1 16 may be lag bolts and extend into awooden beam, if desired, or the angle clip 114 may be welded to arespective steel beam 26 in addition to the use of bolts 116 which maypass through flanges of the beam 26 if it is of an eye beam crosssectionstructure.

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, it may bedesirable to have opposite end portions 120 of the beams 26 projectbeyond the outer side 122 of the wall structure of the invention, and itmay be desirable that the beams 26 be constructed of wood or othersimilar material.

In this instance, the edges 124 of the overlapping portions 28 areprovided with plates 126 having bars 128 cast in the upper edges of therespective overlapping portions 28. The plates 126 are then broughttogether when the panels are erected, and clips 130 are welded to theupper surfaces of the plates at opposite sides of the beam 26 whichrests on the plates 126. These clips 138 are disposed at opposite sidesof the respective beam 26 and bolts 132 are extended through the beamand a pair of the plates 130 so as to clamp the respective beam 26securely between the plates I30, and inasmuch as the plates 130 arewelded to the plates I24 and they are anchored by the bars 128 cast inthe upper edges of the overlapping portions 28. The opposite ends of thebeams 26 may be thus secured to and supported on upper edges of theoverlapping portions 28 of the panels 22.

Intermediate portions 134 of the beams 26 may be supported by steel pipecolumns 136 and brace cables 138 may be connected to the panels and thefloor 20, and/or the columns 136 preliminary to the placement of thebeams 26 so as to brace the wall panels 22 in a vertical positionagainst high wind loading preliminary to the securement of the beams 26to the panels, and preliminary to the placement of the roof 28 or otherroof structure, as may be desired. As shown in FIG. 2, the roof issurrounded by a parapet wall structure, however, in the structure shownin FIG. 6, the roof may overlap the upper edges of the panels 22, ifdesired.

In accordance with the method of the invention, panels forming walls ofa building may be brought into overlapping disposition at their verticaledges to pro vide overlapping panel portions, and these overlappingpanel portions may be secured together to form an additionally heavysection and to provide vertical column structure of sufficient physicalmagnitude to serve as a vertical column for supporting beams which carrythe load of a building roof. The panels, according to the method, areerected into vertical position with opposite edges overlapping. Theoverlapping edges are secured together, and the beams are then securedand vertically abutted on the overlapping portions of the panels to takeadvantage of the overlapping portions to act as vertical structuralcolumns for supporting the beams.

In the modification of the invention as shown in FIG. 11 of thedrawings, a plurality of panels 150 are disposed in substantiallyvertically upstanding position and alternate panels 152 are alsodisposed in substantially vertical upstanding position forming acontinuous wall in cooperation with the panels 150.

The panels 150 are provided with vertical edge portions 154 which aredisposed outwardly of and in overlapping relation relative to thevertical edge portions 156 of the panels 152. It will be seen that thepanels form one side of an enclosure 158 which is inside the buildingformed by the building construction of the invention.

The alternate panels 152 are provided with notches 160 in their oppositeedges near their upper portions and these notches 160 providesubstantially horizontal ledges 162 on which ends 164 of beams 166 aresupported. It will be seen that the ends of the beams 166 are covered bythe overlapping portions 154 of the panels 150 so as to provide for aneat aesthetic arrangement of the structure of the invention as well asvery simple and efficient means for carrying the load of the beams 166at the overlapping portions 154 and 156 of the panels 150 and 152respectively.

The notch structure 160 and respective ledge structures 162 aresubstantially as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

Reference is made to FIGS. 12 and 13 wherein overlapping portions 154and 156 of the panels 150 and 152 are disclosed. Each notch portion 160as shown in FIG. 12, is provided with a respective horizontal ledgeportion 162 on which a metal plate 168 is anchored by means of rods 170cast into the panel 152 below the ledge 162.

Resting on the plate 168 is a saddle plate 172 which may be welded tothe plate 168 during assembly.

The saddle plate 172 isprovided with a pair of spaced apart upstandingbrackets 174 and 176 which are preferably made of steel and welded tothe plate 172.

The beam 166 as shown in FIG. 14 of the drawings is disposed between thebrackets 174 and 176 and a pair of bolts 178 extend through bothbrackets 174 and 176 and the beam 166 and clamp the brackets 174 and 176against opposite sides of the beam 166 for holding it securely inconnection with the saddle plate 172 which may be welded or otherwisesecured to the plate 168 on the horizontal ledge 162.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, each panel 150 at its overlapping portion156 is provided with a connection plate 180 having bars 182 cast in thepanel 150. This plate 180 is at an inner side of the overlapping portion156 of each panel and is adapted to be contiguous with an overlappingportion 156 of a respective alternate panel 152.

A connection plate 182 is secured to the notched portion of each panel152 at its vertical portion above the respective ledge 162 and an edgeof the plate 182 is contiguous with the plate so that these plates maybe welded together to secure upper portions of the panels 150 and 152together.

It will be seen that the plate 182 substantially aligns with the bracket176 shown in FIG. 14 of the drawings.

It will be understood that the means for connecting the panels as shownin FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, provides for a fixed relationship of the panels150 and 152 relative to each other while the structure shown in FIG. 15of the drawings comprises an expansion joint which may be a preferableway of securing the panels together depending upon the amount of freedomdesired as it may relate to the relative expansion or contraction ofsuch panels in accordance with the building constructuon of theinvention. Accordingly, reference is now made to the expansion jointstructure of the invention shown in FIG. 15 of the drawings whereinoverlapping portions 154 and 156 of the panels 150 and 152 are providedwith connection plates 184 and 186 respectively. These connection plates184 and 186 are provided with respective steel rods 188 and 190 castinto the respective panels 150 and 152. The plates 184 and 186 aredisposed in contiguous relationship to each other as the panels areassembled in overlapped position shown in FIG. 15 of the drawings.

The plate 186 is provided with a portion 192 which projects beyond avertical edge 194 of the alternate panel 156 and the plate 184 isprovided with an edge 196 which also projects beyond the vertical edge194 of the panel 156.

The plate 186 is provided with an enlarged slotted portion 198 which issubstantially larger than a bolt 200 which is secured the plate 184 andwhich extends through the enlarged opening or slotted portion 198. Alarge washer 202 overlies the opening 198 and abridges it so as toproperly support a nut secured the bolt 200 for clamping the portions192 and 196 of the plates 186 and 184 securely together.

The connection plates 184 and 186 are provided with ends 204 and 206.The end 204 of the plate 184 is similar to the end 192 of the plate 186and the end 206 of the plate 186 is similar to the end 196 of the plate184.

It will be seen that the end portion 196 of the plate 184 supports thebolts 200 and that the end 206 of the plate 186 supports a similar bolt208. The bolts 200 and 208 are preferably welded to the respectiveplates 184 and 186 and the bolt 208 extends through an enlarged opening210 similar to the opening 198 hereinbefore described and an enlargedwasher 212 similar to the washer 202 extends beyond the extremities ofthe opening 208 efficiently to provide for clamping of a washer 212against the plate 184 by means of a suitable screwthreaded nut on thebolt 212.

It will be understood that the nuts on the bolts 200 and 208 aretightened sufficiently to secure the overlapping edges 154 and 156 ofthe panels 150 and 152 securely together, however, these nuts on thebolts 200 and 208 are not tightened sufficiently to cause seizure of theplates 184 and 186 relative to each other and thereby permit relativeplanar movement of the plates 1M and 1% together with the respectivepanels 150 and 156. Thus, the structure shown in FIG. allows forrelative movement of the panels 154 and 11.56 and is used preferably inlieu of the structures shown in FIGS. l2, l3 and 14 which includes thewelded together plates 180 and 182 as hereinbefore described. It will beunderstood that these structures may be used as a matter of preferencedepending upon the size of panels and the environmental conditions towhich they are subjected and depending upon the necessity for expansionor contraction or relative movement of the panels in their connectedrelation with each other.

In accordance with the foregoing modifications of the invention, it willbe seen that the Supporting of the beams 1166 in relation to theoverlapping portions 154 and 1 .56 of the panels 150 and 152respectively may be structurally efficient and aestheticallysatisfactory. Additionally, it will be seen that opposite vertical edgesof the alternate panels 152 are provided with the notches 160 so as toafford uniform construction and proper aesthetic coverage of the ends ofthe beams 164 by means of the overlapping portions 154 of the outsidepanels 156. Additionally, the expansion joint means disclosed in FIG. 15of the drawings provides for efficient expansion joint connection of thepanels 150 and 152 when it is desired to permit relative movement of thepanels due to expansion or contraction.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

I claim:

1. In a building construction, the combination of: a foundation; aplurality of adjacent wall panels, each having inner and outer sides andsaid walls forming an enclosure each panel having substantially verticaledges standing upwardly from said foundation; said panels overlapped attheir adjacent edges so as to dispose said vertical edges of adjacentones of said panels in horizontally spaced relation to each other; saidpanels thus having overlapping portions disposed between said respectivevertical edges; outer sides of alternate ones of said panels beingadjacent inner sides of a pair of said panels which overlap oppositevertical edges of said alternate panels; first means securing saidoverlapping portions of said panels together to form a column structureof said overlapping portions; and beams supported on said overlappingportions, whereby said overlapping portions secured together afford andconstitute structural columns for adequate support of beams and roofstructure; some of said panels having at least one of said overlappingportions disposed at an inner side of another one of said overlappingportions with respect to said enclosure; said one of said overlappingportions having a notch forming a horizontal beam ledge; a beam havingan .end portion supported on said ledge; said another one of saidoverlapping portions covering said end of said beam outwardly beyondsaid one of said overlapping portions; said ledge being disposed at avertical edge of one of said overlapping portions; said panels disposedsuch that each alternate panel has both of its vertical edges overlappedby other overlapping edges of other of said panels which are disposedoutwardly relative to said alternate panels, each alternate one of saidpanels having one of said notches and respective ledges at each oppositevertical edge thereof.

2. In a building construction, the combination of: a foundation; aplurality of adjacent wall panels, each having inner and outer sides andforming an enclosure, each panel having substantially vertical edgesstanding upwardly from said foundation; said panels overlapped at theiradjacent edges so as to dispose said vertical edges of adjacent ones ofsaid panels in horizontally spaced relation to each other; said panelsthus having overlapping portions disposed between said respectivevertical edges; outer sides of alternate ones of said panels beingadjacent inner sides of a pair of said panels which overlap oppositevertical edges of said alternate panels; first means securing saidoverlapping portions of said panels together to form a columnstructureof said overlapping portions; and beams supported on said overlappingportions, whereby said overlapping portions secured together afford andconstitute structural columns for adequate support of beams and roofstructure; some of said panels having at least one of said overlappingportions disposed at an inner side of another one of said overlappingportions with respect to said enclosure; said one of said overlappingportions having a notch forming a horizontal beam ledge; a beam havingan end portion supported on said ledge; said another one of saidoverlapping portions covering said end of said beam outwardly beyondsaid one of said overlapping portions; said ledge being disposed at avertical edge of one of said overlapping portions; such panels disposedsuch that each alternate panel has both of its vertical edges overlappedby other overlapping edges of other of said panels which are disposedoutwardly relative to said alternate panels, each alternate one of saidpanels having one of said notches and respective ledges at each oppositevertical edge thereof; said first means comprises expansion joint meanswhich connects said overlapping portions of said panels together, saidexpansion joint means comprising first and second plates in contiguousrelation to each other and fixed to respective inner and outer sides ofadjacent ones of said panels between their overlapping portions; saidplates each extending beyond respective vertical edges of said panels,said plates having large bolt receiving openings therein and boltsextending through said openings and clamping said plates together beyondsaid respective vertical edges of said panels; said openings beingsubstantially larger than the diameter of said bolts; and large washerson said bolts overlying the extremities of said openings; said boltsbeing tightenable sufficiently to hold said panels together butpreferably not tightened sufficiently to cause seizure of said platesrelative to each other whereby said penals may shift slightly relativeto each other without cracking.

3. An expansion joint means for connecting vertical wall panelstogether, said expansion joint means comprising a pair of concretepanels have vertical edges disposed in overlapping relationship to eachother, said panels having respective inner and outer sides; first andsecond plates in contiguous relationship to each other and fixed to saidrespective inner and outer sides between said overlapping portions ofsaid panels; said plates extending beyond respective vertical edges ofsaid panels; said plates having large bolt receiving openings thereinand bolts extending through said openings and clamping said platestogether beyond said respective vertical edges of said panels, saidopenings being substantially larger than the diameter of said bolts andlarge washers on said bolts and overlaying the extremities of saidopenings, said bolts being tightenable sufficiently to hold said panelstogether but preferably not tightened sufficiently to cause seizure ofsaid plates relative to each other whereby said panels may shiftslightly relative to each other without cracking.

#9 i i E ll

1. In a building construction, the combination of: a foundation; aplurality of adjacent wall panels, each having inner and outer sides,and said walls forming an enclosure each panel having substantiallyvertical edges standing upwardly from said foundation; said panelsoverlapped at their adjacent edges so as to dispose said vertical edgesof adjacent ones of said panels in horizontally spaced relation to eachother; said panels thus having overlapping portions disposed betweensaid respective vertical edges; outer sides of alternate ones of saidpanels being adjacent inner sides of a pair of said panels which overlapopposite vertical edges of said alternate panels; first means securingsaid overlapping portions of said panels together to form a columnstructure of said overlapping portions; and beams supported on saidoverlapping portions, whereby said overlapping portions secured togetherafford and constitute structural columns for adequate support of beamsand roof structure; some of said panels having at least one of saidoverlapping portions disposed at an inner side of another one of saidoverlapping portions with respect to said enclosure; said one of saidoverlapping portions having a notch forming a horizontal beam ledge; abeam having an end portion supported on said ledge; said another one ofsaid overlapping portions covering said end of said beam outwardlybeyond said one of said overlapping portions; said ledge being disposedat a vertical edge of one of said overlapping portions; said panelsdisposed sucH that each alternate panel has both of its vertical edgesoverlapped by other overlapping edges of other of said panels which aredisposed outwardly relative to said alternate panels, each alternate oneof said panels having one of said notches and respective ledges at eachopposite vertical edge thereof.
 2. In a building construction, thecombination of: a foundation; a plurality of adjacent wall panels, eachhaving inner and outer sides and forming an enclosure, each panel havingsubstantially vertical edges standing upwardly from said foundation;said panels overlapped at their adjacent edges so as to dispose saidvertical edges of adjacent ones of said panels in horizontally spacedrelation to each other; said panels thus having overlapping portionsdisposed between said respective vertical edges; outer sides ofalternate ones of said panels being adjacent inner sides of a pair ofsaid panels which overlap opposite vertical edges of said alternatepanels; first means securing said overlapping portions of said panelstogether to form a column structure of said overlapping portions; andbeams supported on said overlapping portions, whereby said overlappingportions secured together afford and constitute structural columns foradequate support of beams and roof structure; some of said panels havingat least one of said overlapping portions disposed at an inner side ofanother one of said overlapping portions with respect to said enclosure;said one of said overlapping portions having a notch forming ahorizontal beam ledge; a beam having an end portion supported on saidledge; said another one of said overlapping portions covering said endof said beam outwardly beyond said one of said overlapping portions;said ledge being disposed at a vertical edge of one of said overlappingportions; such panels disposed such that each alternate panel has bothof its vertical edges overlapped by other overlapping edges of other ofsaid panels which are disposed outwardly relative to said alternatepanels, each alternate one of said panels having one of said notches andrespective ledges at each opposite vertical edge thereof; said firstmeans comprises expansion joint means which connects said overlappingportions of said panels together, said expansion joint means comprisingfirst and second plates in contiguous relation to each other and fixedto respective inner and outer sides of adjacent ones of said panelsbetween their overlapping portions; said plates each extending beyondrespective vertical edges of said panels, said plates having large boltreceiving openings therein and bolts extending through said openings andclamping said plates together beyond said respective vertical edges ofsaid panels; said openings being substantially larger than the diameterof said bolts; and large washers on said bolts overlying the extremitiesof said openings; said bolts being tightenable sufficiently to hold saidpanels together but preferably not tightened sufficiently to causeseizure of said plates relative to each other whereby said penals mayshift slightly relative to each other without cracking.
 3. An expansionjoint means for connecting vertical wall panels together, said expansionjoint means comprising a pair of concrete panels have vertical edgesdisposed in overlapping relationship to each other, said panels havingrespective inner and outer sides; first and second plates in contiguousrelationship to each other and fixed to said respective inner and outersides between said overlapping portions of said panels; said platesextending beyond respective vertical edges of said panels; said plateshaving large bolt receiving openings therein and bolts extending throughsaid openings and clamping said plates together beyond said respectivevertical edges of said panels, said openings being substantially largerthan the diameter of said bolts and large washers on said bolts andoverlaying the extremities of said openings, said bolts beingtightenable sufficiently to hold said panelS together but preferably nottightened sufficiently to cause seizure of said plates relative to eachother whereby said panels may shift slightly relative to each otherwithout cracking.